Rest in Peace, MistyAnimal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM

The Elephant Sanctuary announced today the passing of Asian elephant
Misty, age 52. The much loved Misty arrived at The Sanctuary in 2004 after
four decades of traveling and performing.

Misty, 2014

The Elephant Sanctuary announced today the passing of Asian elephant
Misty, age 52.

The much loved Misty arrived at The Sanctuary in 2004 after four decades
of traveling and performing. Misty resided in the Asia Habitat alongside
Tarra, Shirley, Sissy and Winkie. During her twelve years in residence,
Misty was often seen grazing and napping under the open skies, splashing in
the habitat’s ponds and lakes and spending time with Tarra and Shirley.

Misty arrived at The Sanctuary suffering from chronic foot disease,
arthritis, and exposure to tuberculosis – all conditions that are sadly
common to elephants who have spent most of their lives in captivity. In
recent months, Misty slowly showed signs of increased discomfort and a
decrease in appetite. This past week the progression of chronic, incurable
conditions and associated pain worsened. Misty was humanely euthanized
Wednesday afternoon. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who
cared for her. Tarra and Shirley were nearby.

“Despite the challenges of chronic conditions and aging, Misty
demonstrated to all that life could be full of new adventures” said The
Elephant Sanctuary CEO, Janice Zeitlin. “She was often seen on the EleCams
discovering new areas of the habitat and making full use of the lakes and
ponds. She will be missed by all who loved and cared for her.”

Misty was captured in India in 1965 when she was approximately one year
old. Little is known about Misty's first decade in captivity, although
records show she traveled with several different circuses. In the early
1970s, Misty was purchased by the founder of "Gentle Jungle," a company that
trained and leased animals for use in television, movies, and amusement
parks. Misty appeared in an episode of the sitcom "Sanford and Son" later in
the decade.

In 1983, Misty was performing at the now closed Lion Country Safari in
Irvine, California, when she broke loose from her chains and tried to flee
the park. Local news outlets reported that sections of a nearby highway were
shut down and helicopters were used in an attempt to corral Misty.
Tragically, a park official was fatally injured attempting to capture her.
Misty was eventually subdued and returned to exhibition. In 1988, the
Hawthorn Corporation purchased Misty. She spent the next sixteen years being
leased out to circuses as part of the Hawthorn herd. When not performing or
traveling, the elephants were chained in place inside a barn for up to 22
hours a day.

Delhi (L) and Misty, 2006

As a result of USDA prosecutions against Hawthorn Corporation, Misty and
barn companion, Lota, were both transferred to The Sanctuary. They arrived
on November 17, 2004 becoming the fourteenth and fifteenth residents. Lota
died two months later as a result of an advanced case of tuberculosis. Misty
was treated for exposure to the disease, and after a year of treatment, was
moved from quarantine and placed with the herd in the Asia Habitat.

Dulary (L) and Misty, 2010

Misty formed close relationships with several elephants at The Sanctuary.
In the Asia Habitat, Misty was reunited with Delhi, a herd-mate from the
Hawthorn barn confiscated by the USDA and placed at The Sanctuary in 2003.
They later formed a bond with Dulary when she retired from the Philadelphia
Zoo in 2007. Misty and Dulary’s favorite activities included splashing and
swimming together in the pond near the Asia Barn.

Following the passing of Delhi in 2008 and Dulary in 2013, Misty began to
spend more time socializing with Tarra and Shirley.

Tarra (L) and Misty, 2015

In the company of Tarra and Shirley, Misty began to venture farther away
from the barn and exploring much more of the 2,000 acre Asia Habitat.

“Misty had a mind of her own,” shared Lead Caregiver Nicole. “She didn’t
stick to the trails like the other Asians, she found new places to nap and
graze as she traveled throughout the habitat." In the summer of 2014, staff
noted Misty in areas of the habitat never previously visited by elephants.
Caregiver Sarah added, "It always made me laugh to find her lying in the
sun, still using her trunk to explore the ground around her for potential
food." Staff celebrated on June 11, 2014 when they found Misty had walked
over a mile to the 25-acre lake and gone for her first swim there. Misty was
seen splashing, dunking, and even taking a nap on the muddy bank afterward
(VIDEO). Misty's explorations continued the following spring when she
returned to the lake area, frequenting areas now known as "Misty's Hideout,"
and "Misty's Mud-Wallow."

Final Days

In recent months, Misty slowly showed signs of increased discomfort and a
decrease in appetite. The Sanctuary Veterinary and Husbandry staff made
changes to her diet, offering increased amounts of her favorite foods, and
closely monitored and treated her pain and other symptoms. Last week there
was a marked change in her behavior and significant decline in her overall
health. Misty quit socializing with other elephants and refused food, taking
only limited amounts of liquids. She began spending more time sleeping and
napping. Care staff used fluffy wood shavings to create additional bedding
for her in the Asia Barn. Outside, sand piles created comfortable napping
spots. Her favorite foods such as banana leaves and sugar cane were offered
along with a variety of liquids. The progression of the chronic, incurable
conditions and associated pain worsened. Misty was humanely euthanized on
April 13, 2016. She passed away peacefully on a sunny afternoon, surrounded
by those who cared for and loved her. Tarra and Shirley were given the
opportunity to visit Misty’s body. Tarra walked quietly by while Shirley
took time to softly touch and caress the body. Misty was buried next to her
two companions, Delhi and Dulary.

Dr. Rita McManaman, the University of Georgia's Director of Zoo and
Exotic Animal Pathology, and her team led the necropsy. “Preliminary
findings indicate her rapid decline was due to complications of chronic,
severe kidney and bladder disease,” said Steve Scott, DVM, Director of
Veterinary Care at The Elephant Sanctuary. “These diseases caused serious
and irreversible damage.“

It is The Elephant Sanctuary's policy, to perform necropsies on all
deceased elephants to gain knowledge that will benefit the entire elephant
care community.

Fair Use Notice: This document, and others on our web site, may contain copyrighted
material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owners.
We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use
of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law).
If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use,
you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.